Community briefs: March 21

Published: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 8:02 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 8:02 a.m.

Gardeners to see ‘Jewels of Plains’

The Southern Appalachian Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society hosts a presentation by James H. Locklear titled “Jewels of the Plains Rediscovered” at 10 a.m. Saturday at Flat Rock Village Hall, 2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock.

Claude Barr’s 1983 classic “Jewels of the Plains” opened the eyes of gardeners around the world to the beauty and horticultural attributes of flora of the Great Plains. This illustrated presentation will take the audience on a journey across the prairies and plains of America to rediscover the garden worthy plants that won Barr’s affection.

Locklear has had the love of plants since childhood and has worked in the field of horticulture for most of his career. He was formerly the director of the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Kansas and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. He is currently director of conservation for Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Neb.

The program is open to the public. Call 828-698-7868 for more information.

Hike on Saturday at preserve

Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy will host a guided hike Saturday through CMLC-owned Florence Nature Preserve. Hikers will trek a lollipoproute, circumnavigating the preserve to reach two of its most scenic locales: Rattlesnake Rock and Little Pisgah Point. These rock outcroppings feature scenic views of the rugged Hickory Nut Gorge.

Comprised of 600 acres on the southern slopes of Little Pisgah Mountain, Florence Nature Preserve was donated to CMLC by Dr. and Mrs. Florence, of Gerton, in 1996. The preserve boasts more than five miles of hiking trails that feature scenic rock outcroppings, pristine cascades, and old forests.

Total cumulative hiking distance is 4.5 miles. This hike is rated as moderate difficulty, featuring a total elevation gain of 1,100 feet. This outing includes two hiking destinations in CMLC’s White Squirrel Hiking Challenge.

The guided hike is open the public. To reserve a spot or for more information, visit www.carolinamountain. org.

Hands On! gets kits for NanoDays

Hands On!, a children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, is one of 200 institutions in the United States selected to receive Nano Science educational resource kits and to host NanoDays 2013 for the second year in a row.

This community-based event is the largest public outreach effort in nanoscale informal science education and involves science museums, research centers, and universities from Puerto Rico to Alaska.

“The Nano Science educational resource kits provide Hands On! with science supplies and experiments that we ordinarily could not access due to finances,” said Beth Bockoven, operations manager. “These educational resources are wonderful, and we have the opportunity to share them with schools, teachers and any organizations interested in nano science — the science of the very, very small.”

NanoDays 2013 at Hands On! is part of a nationwide festival of educational programs about nanoscale science and engineering. A kickoff celebration will be held March 29. This all-day celebration includes science experiments, demonstrations and exhibits from 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. throughout the museum.

Visitors will explore how 3D images are made, investigate new nano products and materials and imagine what the world might look like if we could build an elevator to space. Other activities include making bracelets that change color in the sun and making gummy worms.

The event is free with museum admission and free for museum members, and continues April 2-6. Call 828-697-8333 for more information.

Museum seeking event volunteers

The Henderson County Heritage Museum is accepting volunteers to assist with the opening of a display depicting “The Golden Age of Henderson County 1879–1926” and the coming of the railroad. The display opens May 28 on the steps of the Historic Courthouse on Main Street in Hendersonville.

A variety of music of that era and entertainment will be on the agenda, both at the Historic Courthouse and the Historic Train Depot on Seventh Avenue.

Volunteers are needed as guides and will be dressed in period costume. Appropriate costuming will be available. Volunteers are needed at the Historic Courthouse, in the museum, at the depot, on the trolley or carriage rides.